Shuttle checking device



Patented Feb. 15, 1944 SHUTTLE CHECKING DEVICE.

Wallace Hamilton, Hopedale, Mass, assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedjale, Mass, a corporationv of Maine Application November 30, 1942,.Serial No. 467329 9 Claims.

The-presentinvention relates generallyto-shuttle boxes for fiy shuttle looms and, as illustrated herein, relates more particularly to the shuttle checking elements thereof.

In flyshuttle looms, the shuttle is picked into and out of a shuttle box at the end of the 19.3. The shuttle box is provided with means for stoppin or checking the shuttle when the latter enters the box. In prior constructions, the shuttle box has included spaced box plates or Walls and the shuttle checking means has usually consisted of a binder which was mounted in one wall of the shuttle box and which checked the shuttle by frictional engagement with One surface thereof. The final stopping position of shuttle was usually determined by engagement of the shuttle with the picker.

Th prior construction described above has been reasonably satisfactory when used in looms operating at moderate speeds but has not been satisfactory when used in looms having higher speed which necessarily means also higher shuttle speeds. Proper boxing of the shuttle at these speeds necessitated frequent, and accurate adjustment of the parts. Such high speeds also resulted in abnormal Wear of the shuttle, binder and shuttle box walls as Well as of the picker.

It has been proposed to improve the above mentioned prior construction-by providing stops for engaging the tapered outer end of the shuttle and by the use of such stops to lessen the friction required of the binder and shuttle box walls. These proposed constructions have not been entirely satisfactory principally because these stops have caused rebounding of the shuttle with the result that the shuttle has not been accurately positioned in the shuttle box.

One object of the present invention is to provide a loom shuttle box having front and back box plates and a binder which is arranged to move laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box when engaged by the incoming shuttle in such a manner that resistance to the movement of the incoming shuttle increases as the shuttle moves outwardly in the shuttle box. Such a construction has been found satisfactorily to check the shuttle Without rebounding thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to improve generally upon the construction and operation of shuttle boxes applied to present day looms.

With the above and other objects and features in view, the invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying draw.-

ing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a. plan view of the right hand end of a lay of a loom having a preferred embodiment of the invention applied thereto; and

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a shuttle entering the shuttle box.

The drawing shows only a position of a loom having the invention applied thereto, the parts not shown bein of usual construction and forming no part of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the other end of the loom may also be provided with a similar shuttle box.

The drawing illustrates a right hand shuttle box mounted on the right hand end of a lay It. The shuttle box comprises front and rear box plates l2 and M, respectively. The bottom of the shuttle box is formed by the usual metal lay end It whichis secured to the top of the lay beam. The front box plate I2 is adjustably secured to the lay end It by bolts l8, H! which extend through slots or openings formed in forwardly projecting portions of the front box plate i2. A leather lining 20 of usual construction is provided on the inner. or rear face of the front box plate to provideasuitable friction surface.

The back box plate [4 may include a part bolted to the lay sword (not shown). This part includes a substantially vertical shuttle engaging surface 22 and a top plate 2 As illustrated, a part 25 is secured to the first mentioned part of the back box plate and the outer end thereof is secured in the usual manner to the metal lay end It by a stud 2,8. As is usual in looms of the type to which the present invention is applied, the shuttle engaging surfaces 20, 2.2 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of a shuttle which is picked along the lay in the usual manner by suitable picking means which includes a picker stick 32. having a, picker 3d secured to its upper end portion.

' The shuttle box is provided with a binder 36 which is arranged to be engaged and moved by the shuttle 36 as the latter enters the shuttle box. The binder is movable laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box to retard or check the incoming shuttle. As illustrated, the binder 35 is' so mounted that its inner end swings rear- .wardly; when engaged by the incoming shuttle, .to operate the loom protection mechanism of which only the finger 38 is shown. Further-movement of the shuttle into the shuttle box causes the binder 36 to swing further rearwardly. This further rearward movement of the binder is opa suitable friction means for engagement with the shuttle 30.

The binder 3'6 is mounted for movement about two depending studs 40 and 42 fixed to the part 26 of the back box plate. The stud Ml is fixed to a rearwardly extending projection 4Q formed adjacent to the outer end portion of the backbox plate extension 26. The stud in acts as a pivot for one end of an adjustable link it which has its other or forward end pivoted to a depending stud 48 fixed to the binder 36. The link is comprises two end portions 58, 52 having openings therein for receiving the studs 39 and 48, respectively. The end portion 50 is also provided with a threaded opening for receiving a threaded end portion of a rod 5 5. The other end of the rod is received in an opening in the part 52 and is secured therein by a pin 55. By turning the threaded rod 54, the outer end of the binder 3B is located in the proper position to stop or check the shuttletil. After the rod 54 has been properly adjusted, it is locked in position by a locking nut 56.

A similar link 58 is pivoted at its rear end to the stud 42 and at its other end to a depending stud 6% secured adjacent to the inner end portion of the binder 36. It is to be noted that the location of the studs 42 and 66 is so arranged that the link 58 is more nearly parallel to-the longitudinal axis of the shuttle box than is the link 46. By so positioning the links 4E, 58, the inner end of the binder 36 is caused to swing rearwardly as soon as the shuttle 39 engages the swell of the binder 36. Thus, the finger 38 will be swung rearwardly to operate the protection mechanism during the early part of the movement of the incoming shuttle into the shuttle box. As the shuttle t0 continues its movement into the shuttle box, the binder 36 continues its swinging movement about the studs 40, 42. The inner end of the binder necessarily, because of the position of the link 58, moves rearwardly somewhat faster than does the outer end thereof. Thus, the inclination of the binder 36, relatively to the direction of movement of the shuttle 30, increases slightly and resistance of the binder 36 to the movement of the shuttle consequently increases as the shuttle approaches the proper stopping position.

Further resistance to the outward movement of the shuttle is caused by the inward component of movement of the binder 38 as'it swings about the studs Ml, d2. This increasing resistance to .the outward movement of the shuttle 3G by the binder 36 gradually and uniformly decelerates the shuttle and effectively prevents rebound thereof as it reaches proper stopping position. In order further to insure stopping of the shuttle 30 at the proper position, the outer end of the binder 36 is forwardly and outwardly inclined at 62 to provide a surface which will engage a substantial extent of the tapered outer end of the shuttle 30.

When the shuttle 3&1 is picked out of the shut was necessary in prior constructions where substantial spring pressure was applied to the shuttle.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay having a shuttle box comprising front and back box plates, a

binder for checking an incoming shuttle, and means including a pair of pivoted links for supporting the. binder for movement laterally of the shuttle box and for movement longitudinally of the shuttle box in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the incoming shuttle as it moves into the shuttle box in engagement with the binder.

2. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay having a shuttle box comprising front and back box plates, a binder arranged for movement laterally and. longitudinally of the shuttle box when engaged by an incoming shuttle to check the shuttle, and a pair of links each pivoted at one end to the rshuttle box and at the other end to the binder,

one of said links being located adjacent to the outer end of the binder and the other of said links to be located adjacent to the inner end of the binder, said links being so positioned relatively to each other that the inner end of the binder swings outwardly when engaged by the incoming shuttle a greater amount than the binder moves longitudinally of the shuttle box to cause successive portions of the binder to be engaged by the incoming shuttle during its movement into the shuttle box.

3. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay, a shuttle box on said lay comprising front and back box plates, a binder having a surface arranged for engagement with an incoming shuttle to check the shuttle, and means for supporting the binder for movement laterally of the shuttle box, said means comprising a link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and a second link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, said links being so positioned relatively to each other that the inner link is at a lesser angle to the direction of movement of the shuttle than the outer link to permit the inner end of the binder to swing laterally when engaged by the incoming shuttle and also to move longitudinally there- 'of as the shuttle moves into the shuttle box to lgheck the shuttle as it moves into the shuttle 4. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay, a shuttle box on said lay comprising front and back box plates, a binder having a surface arranged for engagement with an incoming shuttle, and means for supporting the binder for movement laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box, said means comprising a link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and a second link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, said links being inclined inwardly toward the shuttle box to cause the binder to move laterally away from the shuttle box and longitudinally thereof in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the incoming shuttle when engaged thereby to check the shuttle as it moves into the shuttle box.

5. In a fiy shuttle loom, a lay, a shuttle box on said lay comprising front and back box plates, a binder having a surface arranged for engage ment with an incoming shuttle, and means for supporting the binder for movement laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box, said means comprising a link pivoted at one end of the outer end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the out-er end portion of the binder, and a second link pivoted at one end tothe inner end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, said links being inclined inwardly toward the shuttle box to cause the binder to move rearwardly away from the incoming shuttlewhen engaged thereby and also to move longitudinally in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the incoming shuttle to check the shuttle as it moves into the shuttle box.

6. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay, a shuttle box on said lay comprising front and back box plates, a binder having a surface arranged for engagement with an incoming shuttle, and means for supporting the binder for movement laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box, said means comprising a link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and a second link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the shuttle box and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, said links being inclined inwardly toward the shuttle box and being so positioned relatively to each other that the inner link is at a lesser angle to the direction of movement of the shuttle than is the outer link to permit the inner end of the binder to swing laterally away from the incoming shuttle when engaged thereby and also to move longitudinally thereof in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the shuttle to check the shuttle as the shuttle moves into the shuttle box.

'7. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay having a shuttle box comprising fixed front and back box plates, a binder for checking'the shuttle having an inclined surface arranged to be engaged by an incoming shuttle as the latter enters the shuttle box and a substantially straight surface extending outwardly from said inclined surface, and means normally supporting said binder with said substantially straight surface substantially parallel to the path of movement of the shuttle, said means also permitting said binder to move laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box when engaged by the incoming shuttle, said means com prising an outer link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and an inner link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, the inner link being positioned at a lesser angle to the path of movement of the shuttle than the outer link, thereby causing the inner end of the binder to swing laterally when the inclined surface is engaged by the incoming shuttle and to cause said substantially straight portion of the binder to assume an increasing inclination as the shuttle engages said straight portion, said links being also arranged to cause the binder to move longitudinally inwardly of the shuttle box as the binder swings laterally.

8. In a fly shuttle loom, a lay having a shuttle box comprising fixed front and back box plates, a binder having an inclined surface arranged to be engaged by an incoming shuttle as it enters the shuttle box and a substantially straight surface extending outwardly from said inclined surface and a second inclined surface extending outwardly and forwardly of the substantially straight surface arranged to engage the tapered end of the shuttle when it is in stopped position, and means normally supporting said binder with said substantially straight surface substantially parallel to the path of movement of the shuttle, said means also permitting said binder to move laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box when engaged by the incoming shuttle, said means comprising an outer link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and an inner link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the inner end portion of the binder, the inner link being positioned at a lesser angle to the path of movement of the shuttle than the outer link, thereby causing the inner end of the binder to swing laterally when the inclined surface is engaged by the incoming shuttle and to cause said substantially straight portion of the binder to assume an increasing inclination as the shuttle engages said straight portion, said links being also arranged to cause the binder to move longitudinally inwardly of the shuttle box as the binder swings laterally to check the shuttle.

9. In a fiy shuttle loom, a lay having a shuttle box comprising fixed front and back box plates, a binder having an inclined surface arranged to be engaged by an incoming shuttle as it enters the shuttle box and a substantially straight surface extending outwardly from said inclined surface, a protector finger arranged to engage the inner end of the binder, and means normally supporting said binder with said substantially straight surface substantially parallel to the path of movement of the shuttle, said means also permitting said binder to move laterally and longitudinally of the shuttle box when engaged by the incoming shuttle, said means comprising an outer link pivoted at one end to the outer end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the outer end portion of the binder, and an inner link pivoted at one end to the inner end portion of the back box plate and at its other end to the inner end portion of the hinder, the inner link being positioned at a lesser angle to the path of movement of the shuttle than the outer link, thereby causing the inner end of the binder to swing laterally when the inclined surface is engaged by the incoming shuttle to operate the protector finger and to cause said substantially Straight portion of the binder to assume an increasing inclination as the shuttle engages said straight portion, said links being also arranged to cause the binder to move longitudinally and inwardly of the shuttle box as the binder swings laterally.

WALLACE HAMILTON. 

